The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos society is the official philanthropic women’s organization of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and one of the largest Christian women’s organizations in America. The name means “friend of the poor” being derived from the Greek words philo(friend) + ptohos (poor). Established in 1931, this non-profit organization is comprised of over 25,000 members in more than 480 chapters nationwide. The Holy Apostles chapter is one of the largest chapters nationwide with about 200 members.

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote charitable and philanthropic outreach by aiding the poor, the hungry, the sick, the orphaned and the victims of disasters.

The Holy Apostles Chapter

More than 50 years of Philanthropic Endeavors

This chapter supports a variety of philanthropic and charitable organizations as well as programs that benefit our parish.

Our volunteers assist year-round with projects and fundraising events to benefit the local community and national and international communitites.

The Holy Apostles chapter has donated over 250,000 over the last 5 years to charitable causes.

Some of the Children's Medical Fund Luncheon attendees from Holy Apostles.

Chicago Metropolis Philoptochos Society Food Bank Donations

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Society has donated $3,000 to several food banks within its jurisdiction.

Illinois

Greater Chicago Food Depository

Northern Illinois Food Bank

Central Illinois Food Bank

Iowa

Food Bank of Iowa

Indiana

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Inc.

Food Bank of Indiana

Wisconsin

Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin

Missouri

St. Louis Area Foodbank

Minnesota

Second Harvest Northern Lakes Foodbank

The Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Society is requesting that any future donations to Philoptochos regarding the COVID-19 pandemic be sent to the National Philoptochos Society atwww.philoptochos.org/donations.

National Philoptochos Press Release Regarding COVID-19

March 24, 2020

New York, NY - Philoptochos has a long tradition, nearly nine decades, of service to people in times of need with empathy and love. In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis, the Executive Board of the National Philoptochos Society approved an immediate disbursement of $50,000, $25,000 to the Feeding America Network and $25,000 to Meals on Wheels America.

Second, because metropolises and chapters may be unable to continue their Feed the Hungry Outreach Programs during the crisis , chapters are being asked to consider a donation totheir local food bank or alternatively to support the COVID-19 National Philoptochos Emergency Fund Drive. To donate now, please visit us at www.philoptochos.org/donation and donate to the Emergency Fund located under Special Appeals. All donations until further notice will be restricted to the COVID-19 Fund.

Third, the Department of Social Services is working in cooperation with each Metropolis across the United States. Monies will be disbursed to each Metropolis according to Social Service guidelines. At the Metropolis level, monies will be disbursed to those who are in need of financial support.

Fourth, National Philoptochos has gathered resources to help members cope with the anxiety that all citizens are facing as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. These can be found on the website at www.philoptochos.org/whats-happening/. National Philoptochos encourages everyone to stay connected during this difficult time! Maintaining connections with friends and family via phone calls, texts, and video meetings during this period of sheltering in place, will help reduce anxiety.

Faith in our mission unites and empowers us to make a difference. The National Philoptochos Board expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Philoptochos chapters and parishes across the nation for support of its philanthropic programs. Without the cooperation of the entire Greek Orthodox community, our work would not be possible. Working together, with the love and blessings of God, we will continue our work to lessen the pain, loss and suffering of the most fragile in our society.

She is scheduled to speak about demystifying food labels - how to weed through the confusing claims on the front of food labels as well as how to read the new food labels, required by the FDA as of January this year, that are on the back of products.

Holy Apostles Vespers & Feast Day

Vespers - Monday, June 29th and Feast Day - Tuesday, June 30th

CANCELED Events:

Koukla's Kafenio - CANCELED

Thursday, May 7th

POISED FOR SUCCESS - CANCELED

Clothing Collection

May 2nd- 17th

RED Easter Eggs for Distribution - CANCELED

Easter Bake Sale -CANCELED

Palm Sunday Weekend

Lenten Dinner - CANCELED

Wednesday, April 1st following the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy

Easter Candles (Lambathes) Sales - CANCELED

Starting Sunday, March 22nd

Feed My Starving Children - CANCELED

Saturday, March 14th

Celebration of Books Reception-CANCELED

Sunday, March 15th following Vespers

PAST EVENTS:

Blankets of Love

Thank you to all that donated blankets. We collected 149 blankets! Philoptochos had initially planned to donate all of our blankets to The Cradle, one of the leading adoption centers in the United States. Due to space constraints, The Cradle can only accept 50 of our blankets. The remainder will be distributed to the NICU at Loyola University Medical Center and to the People's Resource Center in Wheaton for their layette program.

The Hinsdale Central Madrigals entertained the gathering with songs of the season.

Collection Drive for Needy Children

November 17th-December 1st

The Holy Apostles Parish, together with Philoptochos, collected $4,000 to benefit the Family Shelter Service, which assists victims of domestic abuse. The money collected was then used by Philoptochos volunteers to purchase items for the Holiday Shoppe that FSS hosts every year. FSS clients shop for free for their families at the Holiday Shoppe. The parents can choose from toys, outerwear, books and school supplies, gift cards, and baby necessities.

For many of these children, these may the only items they receive for Christmas.

Thank you for your generosity!

The National Philoptochos Society presents:

The 17th Children's Medical Fund Luncheon

Hosted by the Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos

Please click here to see a special CMF edition issue of the Perspective.

Saturday, November 16th

Chicago Marriott

The Children's Medical Fund provides assistance to critically ill children whose families are unable to afford appropriate and necessary medical treatment. The fund provides grants for innovative research programs to pediatric hospitals and to organizations with programs that care for children with critical illnesses.

17 Grants were awarded for a total of $282,034!!!

Alone we can do so little - together we can do so much. - Helen Keller

Thank You to Fay Demakis and her Kindergarten Class for supporting the Children's Medical Fund Luncheon with a yummy Crispy Creme Donut Sale on Sept 29th.

The children raised $395!!!

Thanksgiving Food Drive

November 1st-17th

We collected 265 pounds of food, which translates to roughly 221 meals. Thank you for your support!

An Afternoon in Provence

Fashion Show Co-Chair Jen Govostis and Philanthropy Co-Chair Faye Adams present a $10,000 check to Carol Simler, President and CEO of DuPage Pads. The DuPage Pads medical respite program was one of the primary beneficiaries of the Fashion Show.

Fashion Show Co-Chair Anthoula Pomrening with Helen Chrones - Secretary to the St. Iakovos Retreat Center Board of Directors. The Retreat Center was the other primary beneficiary of the Fashion Show. Holy Apostles also donated $10,000 to the Retreat Center from the proceeds of the Fashion Show.

Thank you to all that made our annual fundraising event such a success! We are so grateful to all that worked on a committee, to our many donors, and to all the guests that attended the event. Attendees enjoyed an afternoon of fellowship, delicious food, beautiful fashions, and fabulous raffle prizes. The majority of the proceeds of this event support the DuPagePads medical respite program and the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. The remainder of the proceeds will fund our various philanthropic endeavors throughout the year.

A special thanks to our Co-Chairs, Anthoula Pomrening and Jen Govostis, for their tireless efforts!

We appreciate your support!

Membership Night (2019/20)

Our annual Membership Night was held on Tuesday, September 17th at LaBarra in OakBrook. Attendees were treated to a seasonal appetizers and a pizza buffet. Philoptochos Chairs outlined their plans for the upcoming year. Representatives from our two primary Fashion Show beneficiaries, DuPagePads and the St. Iakovos Retreat Center, were the keynote speakers.

Thank you to all who donated to our collection drives this year. Holy Apostles collected 103 pounds of food for HCS Family services in March. This translates to roughly 86 meals. From September through the HCS Food Drive in March, a grand total of 680 pounds of food, or roughly 567 meals was collected for those in need. Other recipients included the People's Resource Center and Loaves & Fishes.

We also collected 136 blankets and 615 children's books for the Peoples Resource Center in February. PRC gives each of their clients who is expecting as well as clients with infants a layette. The blankets we collected will be included in these layettes. The books we collected are used in multiple ways. Some of the books are part of birthday bags that are given to each child. Other books are available to children whose parents are taking classes offered by PRC throughout DuPage County. PRC was extremely grateful for this very generous donation!!!

Feed My Starving Children

Holy Apostles volunteers packed specially formulated meals for children in need at the Feed My Starving Children facility in Aurora on Saturday April 6th. They packed 24 boxes of food!

Poised for Success Collection Drive

We collected one rack of gently used professional clothing and accessories for Poised for Success in May 2019. This non-profit organization provides professional clothing for women in need to wear

Feed the Hungry

Holy Apostles Philoptochos sponsored the annual Feed the Hungry commitment at the Annunciation Cathedral in Chicago on May 14th. Holy Apostles volunteers provided the food and drinks, served the meal, and provided socks and baseball caps.

General Meeting

Chicago area award-winning author Paula Renee Burzawa discussed her new book, Eternal Stones and Other Memories of Greece on Thursday, May 16th in the multi-purpose room. Philoptochos Board elections were also held that night. Please click here for a detailed book description and author biography.